Studio Art

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Studio Art: This degree allows the student to major in art within the context of a liberal arts curriculum. It also allows the student considerable flexibility in developing a course of study. Individualized academic goals can be achieved while students earn their emphasis in drawing, painting, printmaking or sculpture. The Capstone experience is a project that includes both written and visual components.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a major in Studio Art: This degree is for students who wish to enter an intensive studio art program or continue their education at the graduate level. Professional skills and a personal aesthetic philosophy are achieved by students with an emphasis in drawing, painting, printmaking or sculpture. Students must possess an exceptionally strong commitment to their work. The comprehensive art curriculum is enhanced with a variety of individualized choices from the Drake Curriculum. Beginning with the junior year, students take part in the B.F.A. reviews that are held at the end of spring semester. The B.F.A. Capstone Experience is a senior thesis exhibition.

Description of Program

The Department of Art and Design helps students develop their artistic and intellectual potential, explore new areas and discover career opportunities. Drake offers both intensive experiences in art and a solid liberal arts education. Students are immersed in a professional art and design environment, develop consummate technical skills and achieve formal and conceptual abilities in preparation for a rewarding visual arts career.

Academic Requirements

A minimum of 124 credit hours is required for all undergraduate art degrees.

A student is placed on probation if either the cumulative grade-point average or the average in Department of Art and Design Courses falls below 2.00 (a "C" average) during any semester in which a student has earned less than 60 total credit hours. A student may be placed on probation for failing to meet the University’s standards for satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements. (See Probation, Suspension and Satisfactory Progress in the General Information section of the Drake University catalog.)

To continue progress toward a Department of Art and Design degree, a student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and a 2.5 GPA in the Department of Art and Design courses at the end of the academic term in which the student completes the 60th credit hour. For transfer students the 60th-hour GPA must be based upon at least 15 credit hours earned at Drake. Students who achieve the 2.5 GPA at the 60th-hour level are placed on probation if their GPAs fall below 2.5 in a subsequent semester. If the GPA is not raised to 2.5 or better after the probationary semester, the student may not continue in Department of Art and Design or re-enroll later.

Drake Curriculum

The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.

The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project. Students may also choose the Honors Program track as an alternative to the Areas of Inquiry. Information on the program may be found at www.drake.edu/honors.

Area of Emphasis: Drawing

Drawing provides fundamental skills for students majoring in all areas of the visual arts. The drawing emphasis develops formal and conceptual abilities as the basis for expressive representation and visual communication. Each course is designed to expand students’ understanding of pictorial structures and the process of conceptualization, utilizing a full range of graphic elements. Students are introduced to a variety of media and subject matter, and imagery will be developed through the balance of observation and conceptualization.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Studio Art - Drawing

The B.A. Studio Art Capstone culminates with a public presentation of a group exhibition where each student is expected to present a body of artwork created specifically for the exhibition. This exhibition may occur in the Weeks or Anderson galleries or an exhibition space in Des Moines may be procured.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art - Drawing

The B.F.A. Capstone Experience is a senior thesis exhibition.

Requirements for Major

B.A., Studio Art-Drawing

Art

Credit Hours

First-Year program - Art 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 75

19

Basic Studio - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

9

Studio Art Area of Emphasis: Drawing - Art 065, 066, 165, 166, 177

15

Art History Electives

6

Total Art Hours

49

Academic

Drake Curriculum and electives (may include art or art history)

Total Academic Hours

75

B.F.A., Studio Art-Drawing

Art

Credit Hours

First-Year program - Art 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 75

19

Basic Studio - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

9

Studio Art Area of Emphasis: Drawing - Art 065, 066, 165, 166, 177

15

Studio Minor (beyond basic studio requirements)

9

Modern or Contemporary Art - Art 109 or 110

3

Art and Theory - Art 199

3

Art History Electives

6

Art Electives (may include art history)

12

Senior Capstone Experience - Art 175 and 176

8

Total Art Hours

84

Academic

Drake Curriculum and electives (may include art or art history)

Total Academic Hours

40

Area of Emphasis: Painting

Painting fosters creativity within a time-tested visual tradition in ways that lead to significant artistic expression. Students are mentored in the development of critical visual thinking skills necessary to the growth of a highly individualized aesthetic. Technical skills are honed in a process-based environment designed to facilitate a diversity of investigative methods. At advanced stages students are encouraged to both embrace and test the traditions of painting through the deliberate synthesis of materials, methods and ideas.

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art - Painting

The B.A. Studio Art Capstone culminates with a public presentation of a group exhibition where each student is expected to present a body of artwork created specifically for the exhibition. This exhibition may occur in the Weeks or Anderson galleries or an exhibition space in Des Moines may be procured.

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Art - Painting

The B.F.A. Capstone Experience is a senior thesis exhibition.

Requirements for Major

B.A., Studio Art-Painting

Art

Credit Hours

First-Year Program - Art 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 75

19

Basic Studio - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

9

Studio Art Area of Emphasis: Painting – Art 064, 125, 126, 163, 164

15

Art History Elective

6

Total Art Hours

49

Academic

Drake Curriculum and electives (may include art or art history)

Total Academic Hours

75

B.F.A., Studio Art-Painting

Art

Credit Hours

First-Year program - Art 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 75

19

Basic Studio - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

9

Studio Art Area of Emphasis: Painting - Art 064, 125, 126, 163, 164

15

Studio Minor (beyond basic studio requirements)

9

Modern or Contemporary Art - Art 109 or 110

3

Art and Theory - Art 199

3

Art History Electives

6

Art Electives (may include art history)

12

Senior Capstone Experience - Art 175 and 176

8

Total Art Hours

84

Academic

Drake Curriculum and electives (may include art or art history)

Total Academic Hours

40

Area of Emphasis: Printmaking

The printmaking emphasis develops technical abilities as well as creative methods for the visual articulation of individual concepts and emotions. A full range of relief, intaglio and lithographic techniques are taught on all levels in a spacious, well-equipped and efficiently organized studio. Students learn the skillful use of numerous essential printmaking tools, materials and processes and acquire an understanding of their characteristics and appropriateness to varying image-making demands. The development of clarity of vision, purpose and self-direction is supported by discussions and critical analyses in both group and individual contexts.

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art - Printmaking

The B.A. Studio Art Capstone culminates with a public presentation of a group exhibition where each student is expected to present a body of artwork created specifically for the exhibition. This exhibition may occur in the Weeks or Anderson galleries or an exhibition space in Des Moines may be procured.

Area of Emphasis: Sculpture

The sculpture emphasis enhances creative abilities by developing a comprehensive understanding of three-dimensional concepts and processes. The sculpture facilities provide students with well-equipped studios for woodworking, welding, forging, casting and installation. Students gain a strong understanding of traditional and nontraditional materials and methods while honing their ability to critically evaluate their own and peer work. This comprehensive engagement encourages individual expression by establishing an understanding of selecting the appropriate form, material and process to support an idea.

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art - Sculpture

The B.A. Studio Art Capstone culminates with a public presentation of a group exhibition where each student is expected to present a body of artwork created specifically for the exhibition. This exhibition may occur in the Weeks or Anderson galleries or an exhibition space in Des Moines may be procured.

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Arts - Sculpture

The B.F.A. Capstone experience is a senior thesis exhibition.

Requirements for Major

B.A., Studio Art-Sculpture

Art

Credit Hours

First-Year program - Art 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 75

19

Basic Studio - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

9

Studio Art Area of Emphasis: Sculpture - Art 080, 139, 140, 179, 180

15

Art History Electives

6

Total Art Hours

49

Academic

Drake Curriculum and electives (may include art or art history)

Total Academic Hours

75

B.F.A., Studio Art-Sculpture

Art

Credit Hours

First-Year program - Art 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 75

19

Basic Studio - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

9

Studio Art Area of Emphasis: Sculpture - Art 080, 139, 140, 179, 180

15

Studio Minor (beyond basic studio requirements)

9

Modern or Contemporary Art - Art 109 or 110

3

Art and Theory - Art 199

3

Art History Electives

6

Art Electives (may include art history)

12

Senior Capstone Experience - Art 175 and 176

8

Total Art Hours

84

Academic

Drake Curriculum and electives (may include art or art history)

Total Academic Hours

40

Studio Art Minor (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture)

The minor in studio art is designed for those students outside the Department of Art and Design who want to engage with basic studio art practices. The minor of 22 credit hours generally consists of the following courses and is chosen with an art and design faculty advisor.